George Vizvary ended an era in collegiate soccer recently when he resigned from Ulster County Community College at the age of 74.
“He loves his job. He always wanted to do good for his players and help them beyond their careers at Ulster. George represented the college with dignity and was always above board.”
Vizvary compiled a 534-159-28 career record over 36 seasons. He was inducted to the National Junior College Athletic Association Hall of Fame in 2007 and has the most victories in NJCAA soccer.
The Senators won national championships in 1977 and 1978. More recently, Ulster finished second in the 2007 national tournament.
Vizvary earned Freeman Sportsperson of the Year honors in 2007 along with his second Region XV Coach of the Year award. He also was Freeman Sportsperson of the Year in 1991.
“We’ve been privileged to have coach Vizvary for so many years at Ulster,” college president Donald Katt said in the press release.
Two of Vizvary’s former players, Tom Mulroy (1993) and Joey Ulrich (2000) also were inducted to the NJCAA Hall of Fame. Mulroy, Ulrich, Niels Guldbjerg and Njego Pesa were chosen on the NJCAA Team of the Century.
Under Vizvary, the Senators captured 17 region titles and 24 Mid-Hudson Conference championships. Forty-five Ulster players competed professionally and 52 achieved All-American status from the NJCAA and National Soccer Coaches Association of America.
I had the opportunity to spend a lot of time around 'Viz', as he was known to his friends while growing up in the Hudson Valley region of New York, and there was no question that he was a positive influence in my coaching career. He did a great deal to help players through his roles with Ulster County Community College, the Empire State Games, and as a member of the United States Soccer Federation National Coaching Staff.
We wish 'Viz' the best of luck as he steps away from the collegiate game as one of it's true giants.
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